Review Sheraton Vistana Resort Questions

[WaltsMartini]

Thanks to all for the great information here. We are planning to stay here in October through a Costco package.

I would love everyone's thoughts on what section of the resort we should request. We are going primarily for the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT and for some quality pool time and relaxing. That being said, being right by a noisy pool doesn't appeal to us. We would like to be able to sit out on the the patio/deck and have dinner or a glass of wine and people watch.

Also, how do we go about requesting a certain part of the resort?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We got here safe and sound, and have a great 2BR in Spas this year. Not a chance I'm trying the fishpipe Gina! I've already torqued my neck and jammed my knee getting off of Buzz Ligntyear. I've been reading Nebo trip reports too much, and it's starting to affect me. I'll leave the fishpipe to younger folk; like Jake...

It does look pretty cool!

We've got an action packed visit planned. Will update when we get back to the great white north.

You're in Spas? Not Courts? Take lots of pics for me, would you? That's where I'm hoping to be assigned when we travel in August.

Hope you are getting some great weather and having a fabulous time. Be careful on those violent Disney rides there old fella . I don't want to hear that you're off to physio when you get home!!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks to all for the great information here. We are planning to stay here in October through a Costco package.

I would love everyone's thoughts on what section of the resort we should request. We are going primarily for the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT and for some quality pool time and relaxing. That being said, being right by a noisy pool doesn't appeal to us. We would like to be able to sit out on the the patio/deck and have dinner or a glass of wine and people watch.

Also, how do we go about requesting a certain part of the resort?

Thanks for any help!

bankr63 is one of the resident experts on SVR, but he's there enjoying the resort as we speak (I am super jealous ). I am sure he will be back next week and will offer his expertise and insight to all your questions .

One thing I can help answer is how you request a certain part of the resort. I am told you can use Diamond Lane to make your requests (though nothing is guaranteed, of course.......that said, it never hurts to ask and hope for the best!). Here is the link to the form:

https://www.mystarcentral.com/services/diamond.jsp?propertyId=01

I think other posters have indicated earlier in this thread that you should submit your request approximately 2-4 weeks before your scheduled arrival.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I have a couple more questions

When I go to Interval International's description of Sheraton Vistana Villages, it says it's "featuring one of the "Best Pools" in the U.S. (according to TripAdvisor), a quarter-acre water wonderland with a "splashtacular" centerpiece waterfall". So is that place different than the Resort?? The Resort's description says something about 7 pools...

We're looking for great pools, but I think I read the Resort has better ones?

If so, can anyone explain the pools/room locations to me? We don't mind walking a bit to get to a big pool, as long as it's not too far.

TIA

 

[c4alymom]

We had our stay booked at WBC, but my inlaws have exchanged through Interval International and gifted us a week at the Vistana Resort! Can't beat a free week! We are still doing a few days prior at Bonnet Creek.

Here is my question:

When exchanging there were two resort codes; VIO and VIT. Does anyone know what they mean? I have done a search and I seem to come up with different answers.

Thanks! I look forward to finding more on this resort as it looks awesome!

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

We had our stay booked at WBC, but my inlaws have exchanged through Interval International and gifted us a week at the Vistana Resort! Can't beat a free week! We are still doing a few days prior at Bonnet Creek.

Here is my question:

When exchanging there were two resort codes; VIO and VIT. Does anyone know what they mean? I have done a search and I seem to come up with different answers.

Thanks! I look forward to finding more on this resort as it looks awesome!

I'm researching too. I think one is Sheraton Villages, the other Sheraton Resort. Still can't figure out if they are totally different, which is "better", etc. I THINK the Resort is the one most Dis'ers have been to and like...

 

[c4alymom]

No, I don't think it is the Villagas, because there was a different code and location for that. Some stuff that has come up in me "googling" and searching is saying it stands for different locations within the resort?

When we were looking at the exchange form, there was a separate place to exchange for the Villages, so I am pretty sure it isn't that though...

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I'm researching too. I think one is Sheraton Villages, the other Sheraton Resort. Still can't figure out if they are totally different, which is "better", etc. I THINK the Resort is the one most Dis'ers have been to and like...

Once you're done reading this thread on SVR (all the pages ) then you could check out this one:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2854036

for information on the Villages.

Hope that helps!

 

[haPevraftr]

I have a couple more questions

When I go to Interval International's description of Sheraton Vistana Villages, it says it's "featuring one of the "Best Pools" in the U.S. (according to TripAdvisor), a quarter-acre water wonderland with a "splashtacular" centerpiece waterfall". So is that place different than the Resort?? The Resort's description says something about 7 pools...

We're looking for great pools, but I think I read the Resort has better ones?

If so, can anyone explain the pools/room locations to me? We don't mind walking a bit to get to a big pool, as long as it's not too far.

TIA

Vistana Villages has a pirate themed kids' pool/ water play area. There is nothing like this at Vistana Resort. The pool at SvR are very nice but only one has a pool slide and it is a tunnel type slide that is short. My kids didn't like it b/c they said the seams hurt their back when they went down. We liked SVR, but not as much as Wyndham Bonnet Creek because WBC had more variety in terms of pools/slides. At SVR, we were in building 19 in the Falls section and we loved that b/c we were right across the street from the pool. The pool was never uncomfortably crowded and the playground, bball court, tennis, shuffleboard, activity center and mini golf were all right there. One day, DD and I walked to the Cascades pool to get her hair wrapped and it was still really close. One night, we went to see a movie at the Fountains pool and we did drive there because it was far enough that we didn't want to walk back that late with the kids. Somewhere on this thread (many pages ago) there is a link to photos of our trip and these amenities. Perhaps you can search by my name to find my old post of our trip last April.

 

[mrsap]

Vistana Villages has a pirate themed kids' pool/ water play area. There is nothing like this at Vistana Resort. The pool at SvR are very nice but only one has a pool slide and it is a tunnel type slide that is short. My kids didn't like it b/c they said the seams hurt their back when they went down. We liked SVR, but not as much as Wyndham Bonnet Creek because WBC had more variety in terms of pools/slides. At SVR, we were in building 19 in the Falls section and we loved that b/c we were right across the street from the pool. The pool was never uncomfortably crowded and the playground, bball court, tennis, shuffleboard, activity center and mini golf were all right there. One day, DD and I walked to the Cascades pool to get her hair wrapped and it was still really close. One night, we went to see a movie at the Fountains pool and we did drive there because it was far enough that we didn't want to walk back that late with the kids. Somewhere on this thread (many pages ago) there is a link to photos of our trip and these amenities. Perhaps you can search by my name to find my old post of our trip last April.

Can I ask, how were the rooms at SVR compared to WBC? Were WBC as updated and clean as SVR? Thanks!

 

[haPevraftr]

Can I ask, how were the rooms at SVR compared to WBC? Were WBC as updated and clean as SVR? Thanks!

I can only partially answer your question. We stayed in a 3 bedroom presidential room at WBC. Condo speak translation... We had upgraded furnishings that were a bit nicer than SVR because the couches were leather, the dining room table seated 10, etc. Other than that, the decor was very similar to SVR with granite, jacuzzi tubs, etc... We didn't see a deluxe (regular room) at WBC. I liked WBC enough that I do not think I would feel the need to pay for the presidential room in the future, because it did limit us to being in Tower 6 (where all 1, 2, and 3 bedroom pres. Rooms are). I think next time I will just book a deluxe room so that I can see another part of the resort and be closer to a different pool (although everything is very close).

 

[mrsap]

Thanks for writing back! My DH wanted to look into WBC for our second week of our trip. We are just nervous because we only stay at SVR after having crappy experiences with other "updated" timeshares that couldn't shine SVR's shoes. I have read that not all rooms are updated at WBC so I don't know If I would chance it if I can't get a presidential room. Thanks again for your help!

 

[haPevraftr]

Thanks for writing back! My DH wanted to look into WBC for our second week of our trip. We are just nervous because we only stay at SVR after having crappy experiences with other "updated" timeshares that couldn't shine SVR's shoes. I have read that not all rooms are updated at WBC so I don't know If I would chance it if I can't get a presidential room. Thanks again for your help!

You can contact Vacation Strategy for a quote on WBC. That is who we booked through and they were reliable and have a fair refund policy. If you book a presidential room, you won't be disappointed. Pricing is reasonable. We got a 3 bdrm pres. unit for $1950 for 9 nights over NYE. Pricing for other times if year are lower.

If you do a week at SVR and a week at WBC, it will be nice because they are very different experiences.

 

[mrsap]

Thank you for the info. I will let you know if we decide to try it!

 

[mrsap]

Disregard

 

[mrsap]

The week we wanted just came up at the Vistana!!!! Just got everything booked!!!!! Can't wait to go back to our home away from home!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

An FYI to those planning trips during late summer and autumn, Zimmie's will be closed for refurbishment from August 17th to late November:

http://allears.net/acc/faq_svistana.htm

I guess we won't be eating there on August 23rd (our arrival day) as we planned. Drat!

Anyone dined at the Cascades Bar & Grill, and could offer their review? Maybe we will just be better off to order in pizza that night.

 

[tabby1881]

Great information on this thread I'm just trying to finalize a decision to exchange into Vistana. Does anyone know if all of the two bedroom units have washers/dryers? (I love being able to just do laundry right in the unit, makes life easier) I'm getting conflicting information from the RCI site and other sites. According to RCI, if the two bedroom sleeps 8 with privacy for 6 there is no WD.
Thanks!

 

[mrsap]

Great information on this thread I'm just trying to finalize a decision to exchange into Vistana. Does anyone know if all of the two bedroom units have washers/dryers? (I love being able to just do laundry right in the unit, makes life easier) I'm getting conflicting information from the RCI site and other sites. According to RCI, if the two bedroom sleeps 8 with privacy for 6 there is no WD.
Thanks!

To my knowledge, there are W/D's in all the units! You will love it there!! You won't want to stay anywhere else!

 

[tabby1881]

To my knowledge, there are W/D's in all the units! You will love it there!! You won't want to stay anywhere else!

Thanks!